The Stories That Made Headlines - The Year That Was! - 5768-5769

The compilation of the past year's events in Israel are testimony to the complex reality Israel is forced to contend with. Many events occurred in the past year, from terror attacks, peace talks, katyusha and rocket attacks on Israeli towns and cities. It was also a year in which Israel was inundated with visits by foreign dignitaries, ranging from US President George W. Bush. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It was a year in which Israel won an Olympic medal at the Beijing Olympic games. It was also a year during which famous songwriters and musicians performed in Israel, the latest being Sir Paul McCartney who performed before a crowd of 50,000 in Tel Aviv. It was also a year in which Israel released Palestinian prisoners to boost PA President Mahmoud Abbas's standing and Hizbullah returned the bodies of IDF reservists Eldad Regev and Udi Goldwasser in exchange for the release of mass murderer Samir Quntar and other Hizbullah members. As this year comes to an end, IDF soldier Gilad Schalit remains in captivity in Gaza. Let ups hope that the New Year (Rosh Hashana) will be a more peaceful year, one without terror attacks, one in which peace agreements are reached with the Palestinians and Syria, and one that will see Gilad Schalit return home. Shana Tova! 09/28/08